Phoenix and Valley of the Sun boasts more than 300 days of sunshine a year-the perfect climate for teeing off at any of its more than 140 golf courses, among them layouts designed by such acclaimed architects of the sport as Pete Dye, Robert Trent Jones, and Jack Nicklaus.

But you already knew that.

Phoenix and Valley of the Sun has among the nation's finest resort hotels, exquisite properties that leave no detail unattended when servicing medical meetings and pampering guests. Five-Star and Five-Diamond properties are as commonplace in the Valley as brilliant sunsets.

But you already knew that.

Phoenix and Valley of the Sun is smack in the middle of a desert playground where visitors can enjoy hot-air ballooning, off-road safaris, cowboy barbecues, hiking, and horseback riding, to name just a few activities.

Wait . . . you probably knew that, too. But were you aware that downtown Phoenix has blossomed into a dynamic entertainment hub, with world-class shopping, dining, spectator sports? That Major League Baseball's Arizona Diamondbacks-and their retractable-dome ballpark-will be joining the downtown party in 1998, making metro Phoenix only the third market west of the Mississippi to have professional franchises in baseball, football, basketball, and hockey?

And what about this: With all major airlines flying into Sky Harbor International Airport, and nonstop service from 73 cities in North America, getting there couldn't be easier. Convenience doesn't end there: The centrally located airport is a hassle-free 15-minute drive from downtown Phoenix, and within 45 minutes of practically all destinations in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, and Mesa.

Terrific weather. Desert beauty. Unparalleled recreation. Extensive destination management support. Fascinating Native American culture. Convenience. Top-flight accommodations. From the expected to the unexpected, Phoenix and Valley of the Sun offers an unbeatable package for medical groups.

But then, Patricia Gondek, assistant to the president of Premier, Inc., the Illinois-based alliance of hospitals, has known that all along. For years, she's been bringing meetings of doctors and hospital executives to the Valley's resorts. "Our attendees want a destination that will get them away from it all but that offers easy-in, easy-out in case they have to get back to their hospitals at a moment's notice," Gondek says. "The Phoenix area offers that." Gondek also appreciates the high level of service at the hotels, and the range of pre- and postmeeting activities, such as Jeep rallyes, museum tours, and golf.

For Tony Jannetti, president of Anthony J. Jannetti, Inc., a meeting planning firm in Pitman, NJ, the Valley of the Sun is an ideal location for the nursing meetings he coordinates. "The faculty and speakers like going out to the Phoenix area-it's easy to get to from places such as San Francisco, Texas, Philadelphia, and New York," he says. What's more, Jannetti can count on support from local medical facilities, such as Good Samaritan Hospital and Arizona State University. Jannetti finds the Civic Plaza to be a customer-friendly facility, and his exhibitors appreciate Arizona's right-to-work tradition.

Isn't it time you got to know the many faces of Phoenix and Valley of the Sun?